November 29, 2001

6:38 PM

Creem Magazineis back. After an 8-year hiatus, the classic rock rag that launched the career of editor/author/Springsteen-worshipper Dave Marsh, elevated Lester Bangs to rockcrit boddhisatva status, and introduced me to the Velvet Underground and the Stooges is online and ready to roll the presses once more. Will they give a much-needed kick in the ass to a moribund field of journalism, or are they a bunch of old hippies cynically cashing in on Cameron Crowe's Almost Famous vibe? Don't forget to dig the scanned covers. Boy Howdy!
posted by MrBaliHai (10 comments total)

My favorite was the issue with Lester Bang's piece on Lou Reed that had the latter on the cover with the headline Lou Reed: Wanted Dead Or Alive--What's The Difference?
posted by y2karl at 7:02 PM on November 29, 2001

And not a moment too soon. It'll be nice to have some rock writing by people who actually like rock-n-roll rather that a bunch of snotnosed grad-student types who sound like they'd rather be deconstructing Seinfeld or something.
And it'll be good to see Marsh online again, he's been missed since Addicted to Noise bailed. I met the man a few years ago when I recognized him from a book jacket, introduced myself, talked awhile, then asked if he wanted to do a signing at the bookstore I worked at, he agreed to immediately and was gracious and freindly to all who showed up. I may not agree with all his tastes and opinions, but I can tell you his love for rock-n-roll is sincere, and he writes about it like the fan he is rather than like some dipshit professor which is more than I can say for the staff at Spin or Rolling Stone or any other rag you'd care to name. So that was a long-winded way of saying..good to have you back, guys.
posted by jonmc at 7:05 PM on November 29, 2001

I've been reading the English rock magazine Mojo for a couple of years now, and I think that they've really managed to keep the spirit of Creem alive. So even if the new Creem tanks, I'll still have Mojo to fall back on. And jonmc, I don't see Marsh's name on the staff webpage, so I hope that they manage to convince him to freelance for them at least. Maybe Lester can chime in via Ouija board?
posted by MrBaliHai at 7:21 PM on November 29, 2001

Yeah, CREEM!

I hope they do a good web site, too.
posted by BarneyFifesBullet at 8:24 PM on November 29, 2001

I grew on Creem too--grew up with Creem, in fact, just down the street from Dave Marsh and Rick Johnson. It'll never be the same, of course, since music isn't the same. But we can hope it will be as good in a different way.

Mojo, I agree, is an excellent magazine, especially if you're a hundred years old like me..
posted by rodii at 8:32 PM on November 29, 2001

but... but... what music can they possibly cover?
posted by onthestereo at 8:44 PM on November 29, 2001

what music can they possibly cover?

All Limp Bizkit and Kid Rock, all the time, baby.
posted by jpoulos at 9:28 PM on November 29, 2001

Yeah, but are the above the KISS and Dictators of today?
posted by y2karl at 1:49 AM on November 30, 2001

no, they're the captain and tenille of today. :D
posted by onthestereo at 3:06 AM on November 30, 2001

Not to get too off topic, but did anyone ever read Revolver? When they first started, someime last year, they seemed to be a pretty solid music mag, with reviews by the likes of Anthony DeCurtis, Greg Kot, and Jim DeRogatis, decent articles, and some short, Mojo-esque backstory pieces, such as an overview of the Wu-Tang output. For some reason, they turned into a nu-metal mag, and became just another piece of crap. I tried Blender, but found it too much of a puff mag. Therefore, I am excited to have something new to read.
posted by Bezuhin at 6:32 AM on November 30, 2001